DENTON, Texas -- The University of the Incarnate Word women's swim and dive teams were unable to rack up enough points on Friday afternoon, falling to the University of North Texas, 163-137.
 
CARDINALS FIGHTING MEAN
 
The Cardinals came out hot to start the afternoon, with the 400 Medley relay being a battle to the last legs. Kristen Straszacker and Mariana Ruvalcaba Cruz set a strong pace, leaving an opportunity for Sophie Taylor to advance the squad into the lead. The fight continued through Ximena Conde in the last leg, but the Cardinals were slightly out-touched by a margin of 13 milliseconds to put the UIW relay at second place with a time of 3:52.28.
 
Straszacker notched a fast 57.63 in the 100 back, adding nine points to the team's total. She added another win in the 200 backstroke with a five second lead for a time of 2:05.14. The 100 IM saw Straszacker fight through for third with a time of 1:01.48.
 
UIW then went on to sweep the podium in the 1,000 freestyle, with rookie Maya Knutson showing out to place first over teammates Brenda Diaz and Reagan Hayes with a finals time of 10:45.08. Diaz placed herself atop the podium again later in the 200 fly, closing the race strong for first with a time of 2:06.50.
 
Ximena Conde continued into the 200 free to push through another close race, this time securing gold with a first-place time of 1:51.30. Conde maintained a steady pace throughout the 500 free, leading to a first-place finish with a finals time of 5:03.39. Hannah Rowley came in second with a time of 5:11.02.
 
In the 100 breaststroke, M. Ruvalcaba Cruz pushed the back half of the race but closely missed the top spot and placed second in 1:07.10. She came back determined for 200 breast, slating fast splits to lead her to a first-place finish with a time of 2:24.31.
 
Taylor topped the competition in the 100 fly, notching a quick 57.75 for the win. Taylor bumped up her seeded time in the 50 freestyle, placing third but notching a fast 25.11. Magda Vega came in just after for fourth place (25.21).
 
Ana Lucia Garza dove well through the meet's rounds to win 3M with 269.85 points, later placing third on 1M with 243.75 points.
 
The day ended just as it began, with exceptionally close-fought relays, this time with the 400 free relay. The squad of Conde, M. Ruvalcaba Cruz, Taylor and Rowley held the UNT "A" relay for the majority of the race, going back-and forth through the turns and relay exchanges. In true heartbreaking fashion, the Cardinals took it to the end but were out-touched by .01, placing second with a time of 3:35.36.
 
 
UP NEXT
The Cardinals men and women align their schedules once again when they come back to San Antonio on Jan. 31 to host Trinity University for Senior Day. The meet, which is the Cardinals' last meet before the CCSA conference meet, is set to begin at 3 p.m. CT.
 
FOLLOW ALONG

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